THE recent sectarian violence in Bauchi state has left the nation yet again in a bewildered state.
According to reports, the violence caused extensive damage to property, displaced over 2,400 people and left at least a dozen people dead, just three months after the Jos incident. The latest crisis is an unfortunate reminder of the violent skirmishes that have rocked the country in the recent past. It is estimated that up to 14,000 people have been killed in ethnic and religious violence since the return to democracy in 1999.
The recurrence of violent clashes in Nigeria begs the question of the effectiveness of government strategies towards addressing the root causes of political, sectarian and xenophobic tensions, and the channels of communication between the state and the citizenry.
The security of lives and property is a fundamental ingredient in any successful and stable democracy, and the failure to engage with the needs and concerns of Nigerians at the grassroots level does not bode well for resolving the tragic but all too common outbreaks of violence in the country. 
The key finding of a snap poll conducted shortly after the Jos crisis by NOI Polls reveals the preference by a majority of Nigerians that ‘settlers’ should genuinely be allowed to enjoy the same rights as indigenes.
In the poll, respondents were asked the question, “Do you think settlers, that is, people who are not from an  area but have lived there for a long time, should enjoy the same political rights as indigenes in that area in Nigeria?” 67 percent of respondents were in support of “settler” rights. The word “settler” in current Nigerian socio-political lexicon refers to long-standing non-indigenous residents of communities; while “indigene” refers to those who have the status of original inhabitants.  The definitions are fluid and reflect the strong historic attachment to land in Nigeria, which is typical of most parts of Africa.
The implication of this finding cannot be overstated. The majority of Nigerians are peace-loving and do not support discrimination against ‘others’ on account of religion or tribe.
The onus is on the national, state and local governments to act expeditiously when provided with credible intelligence on security threats, and to implement the recommendations of investigative panels of inquiry into past crises. The police and judiciary must also prosecute and sanction perpetrators of ethnic and religious violence, to restore the credibility of public institutions.
Above all, our leaders must listen to the voices of the people – as every peace-loving Nigerian seeks to pursue their daily activities without the fear of violence and destruction.
With a population of 148 million, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation; one in every five Africans is a Nigerian. The country exists as a political federation, with a national government, 36 states and a federally administered capital territory, and 774 local governments. Given the country’s complex political architecture, large population and ethnic diversity, developing the capacity to systematically assess the opinion of Nigerians on social, economic and political issues is challenging, but imperative.
Until recently, there was no organisation with scientifically robust methods solely devoted towards assessing the opinions of ordinary citizens in Nigeria. Sadly, the lack of voice for many Nigerians hampers decision-making in the public and private sectors. Policy-makers are often unable to ascertain true public opinion on important economic and social issues.
This reduces the impact of public expenditure programs on the most vulnerable communities, and the effectiveness of the policy-making process. Furthermore, consumer rights for many Nigerians are not adequately recognised by private businesses.
In such a vacuum, the opinions of a few vocal people or groups can be erroneously taken as being representative of the entire population.
Independent opinion polling plays a powerful role in filling this information gap, by providing voice for citizens, and also improving the accountability of public office holders.
NOI Polls, the leading opinion research organisation in Nigeria, was founded in 2006, with the primary objective of giving voice to the Nigerian populace. 
It aims to provide timely and relevant information regarding people’s perspectives on a variety of social, economic and political issues. NOI Polls conducts periodic opinion polls in Nigeria in partnership with Gallup Poll (USA), the leading polling and opinion research organization in the world.
NOI Polls has since its inception committed itself to expressing the views of ordinary citizens by giving them the opportunity to influence decision-making in the country.
Its credibility rests on being non- partisan and wholly independent, supported by the use of scientifically rigorous methods in the conduct of opinion research. The organisation is firmly dedicated to bridging the ‘information gap’, by providing a platform for the communication of the needs, aspirations and views of Nigerians.
It is only through empowering the citizenry and providing crucial information in the public domain that a democratic culture in Nigeria can be strengthened and deepened.